Sweet potato smoothie + Superfoods 24/7

When David and I were first dating, we were really into a couple of different books about superfoods. We had this ongoing contest to see who could eat the most superfoods in a day. Over dinner we’d name the various foods we’d had that day – spinach, blueberries, avocados, sweet potatoes… We’d compare lists and then see who won. This friendly competition kept both of us looking for the most nutrient-dense foods that we could eat, and it put a really positive spin on eating healthy. Instead of avoiding foods, we were trying to cram in as many nutritious things as we could.

If only Superfoods 24/7 by Jessica Nadel had been around at the time. It could have been our go-to cookbook. This cookbook highlights 40 superfoods in over 100 recipes, including breakfasts, snacks, and dinners. It’s filled with beautiful photos to inspire, taken by Jackie Sobon.

While many people think only of pricey, exotic ingredients qualifying as superfoods, Jess incorporates common ones like cinnamon, coconut, kale, lentils, and pumpkin.

Cover photo by Jackie Sobon

Jessica blogs at Cupcakes and Kale, and she and I have been blogging friends for years and years. I was able to meet Jess in person finally this past summer at Vida Vegan Con in Austin. In addition to being a whiz in the kitchen, she has the most full-hearted and infectious laugh you can imagine. It’s one of those laughs that overtakes her whole body.

Here are the things I’ve made from Superfoods 24/7:

David often starts the day with toast slathered in almond butter, jam, or both. In the summer, we get jam from a local berry grower at our farmers market, but in the winter, we are relegated to the grocery store aisle instead. Not anymore.

This fresh berry jam was a breeze to make, and it contains just five ingredients – berries, water, maple syrup, lemon juice, and chia seeds. The chia seeds help the jam to set up, and because the ingredients are few, you can really taste the berries inside.

Jess offers several ideas for berries, and I decided to use a bag of frozen blueberries we had in the freezer. The jam explodes with the flavor of blueberries. It would also make an excellent ice cream topping.

For dinner earlier in the week I made hemp-crusted tofu with garlic-chili collards. I’m always looking for new ways to prepare tofu, and I am going to be returning to this recipe often.

The tofu is quickly marinated in apple cider vinegar and tamari and then dredged in hemp seeds and spices before browning. Not only is it a fast and easy way to prepare tofu, it’s ridiculously good. The spices and breading make it elegant enough for a dinner party, but simple enough for a quick lunch or dinner.

Finally, I made a sweet potato, cinnamon, and mango smoothie. I’d never used cooked sweet potato in a smoothie before, but it gave a lot of body to the drink. This would be especially good for people who get tired of bananas in their smoothies.

With the cinnamon and mango inside, the smoothie tasted like fall. I could see serving it to guests after apple picking, in addition to any other time you might want a smoothie for a breakfast or snack.

Jessica and the publisher of Superfoods 24/7, The Experiment, have graciously offered to share the smoothie recipe with you today.

You also have a chance to win a copy for yourself!

Update: The giveaway has ended. Congrats to Katie! Simply leave a comment below, and make sure that I have a way to contact you. The contest is open to anyone in the U.S. or Canada. The giveaway ends on January 12, 2016. A winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

Serves 1

Sweet potato, cinnamon & mango smoothie

A great way to use up any leftover baked sweet potatoes. And once it becomes one of your favorite smoothies, you’ll want to bake a few extra to keep in the fridge, ready to go!

5 minPrep Time

Save Recipe

Print Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup (150 g) frozen mango chunks

½ cup (100 g) chopped cooked sweet potato

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup (125 ml) pineapple juice

¾ cup (190 ml) water

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon agave nectar (optional)

Instructions

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

Sweet potato smoothie? That's intriguing. Also, you had me drooling over that tofu pic on IG. Sounds seriously delicious. Usually when people use the word superfoods you think of all the exotic ones that can be hard to find and cost a pretty penny. I love that she uses many "normal" ones, available for every day use. Will definitely be checking this one out. :)

I'm so glad to hear that, Amber! I loooooved that tofu. I put the leftovers in David's lunch today, and I had the hardest time not squirreling them away for myself instead. I'll be repeating that one for sure!

I would like to buy her book. Is it on Amazon? I have so many foods in the freezer that I suppose qualify as superfoods (froze them at their peak last summer). I'm always looking for new recipes...can't wait to try BOTH of these. I wonder if there will be a Vida Vegan Con on the east coast???? Would LOVE to go!!!

That's good thinking that you froze your superfoods this summer when they were fresh. Produce is much more affordable when you buy when it's in season.
Unfortunately, there may not be another Vida Vegan Con. The women who started it have decided to move on to other things. They put up 3 conferences - 2 in Portland and 1 in Austin. Since they have full time jobs as well, they needed a break from planning. It would be wonderful if someone else took up the charge, though, and hosted a conference for vegan bloggers. It was such a cool event, and it's really fun to hang out with people who you only know online.

That smoothie sounds delicious. I do have to admit I laughed at "leftover sweet potatoes." I don't know if that has ever happened in our house, but maybe I'll squirrel away one or two for a smoothie next time I bake some up.

I've used sweet potato in smoothies before, but usually as a sort of "sweet potato pie" smoothie with warming spices and such. It'll be a nice way to mix it up to make it more tropical with the mango and pineapple juice.

That is too cute that you and David had superfood competitions! Y'all are freakin' adorable. :-) That smoothie looks so good. I love me some bananas and all, but it is nice to to have a banana-less smoothie every once in awhile. I bet sweet potato works great!

Ha! Thanks, Bianca! It's nice to be married to someone who is dorky in the same way that I am. :)
I almost always use frozen banana for my smoothie base too, and so it was a fun change of pace to do something different.

I love the idea of sweet potato in a smoothie! Sometimes, I get tired of bananas or don't want banana flavor. This book sounds like a great way of getting more superfoods into my diet. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

It's nice to see 'superfoods' that are already in my pantry, rather than the more exotic (and costly) ones that are usually referred to. I was having trouble imagining sweet potato in a smoothie, but then I remembered I make chocolate frosting with sweet potato, so it might be doable, though I'd have to think about it a bit more. :) I use hemp seeds all the time but I never thought of using them to coat tofu — will have to try this.

I agree! So often I'll hear people espousing the benefits of exotic foods like goji berries or acai, while so many folks still aren't eating things like broccoli, blueberries, and spinach. Even though those foods are ordinary, they are still nutrient powerhouses!
Sweet potato in a smoothie was outside of my usual too, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised if you try it! The standout flavors in it are the cinnamon, mango, and pineapple juice. However, the sweet potato gives it body.
BTW, it's so nice to see you again commenting and blogging! Welcome back to the blogosphere!

That was a new idea to me too, Jacky. I tend to think of sweet potatoes in more savory applications, but it did a nice job of adding body and a bit of sweetness to the smoothie. Plus, with that extra bulk, this drink has staying power.

I love that you had a friendly competition of who could eat the most superfoods in a day. I might have to try that with my husband! The recipes you mentioned sound delicious. I cannot wait to try a sweet potato smoothie.

You'll have to let me know if you try it with your husband, Ashley! It was a fun motivator for us. So often when people decide to eat healthier, they focus on all of the things they are missing. I liked that it put the focus on what we were gaining instead, and those healthier foods naturally crowded out the other stuff.

Oh, fun to read your review! I made that tofu tonight... so delicious and easy!! Totally a favorite. Other than that, we've made different things, so it's fun to see what you've made. I'm hoping to get my review up next week sometime... got a couple more meals to make out of it first! So far, lots of great eats!

Yes, wasn't that tofu so good? Hemp seeds were on sale at the grocery store, and I bought a new bag with that recipe in mind. I love having tofu options that are ready in 15 minutes or so. I'm looking forward to reading about the things you've made, so that I can add more to my to-make list! :)

Thank you so much for this generous review Cadry. I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed the new smoothie combination, and that you and David liked that tofu coating so much - it's a favourite here too!
(And I think it's so funny my laugh stood out for you when we met! I didn't realize it was that loud/distinctive, but I do enjoy a good chuckle!! ;) ) XO